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Putnam County Department of Health

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The Putnam County Department of Health is made of several divisions all working towards improving and protecting the health of the community. Click on one of the options below to learn more about that division.

The PCDOH Makes Summertime Living Easy…and Safe

25 June 2024

BREWSTER, NY—Summertime often means outdoor activities at the beach or pool. For lucky youngsters, it may also mean summer camp. To help ensure safe, injury-free vacation times for all Putnam residents and guests, preparations by Putnam County Department of Health span nearly five months of the year, culminating in the last weeks of June when camps are readying to open. 

“There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes,” explains associate public health sanitarian Marianne Burdick, who directs the health department’s efforts to inspect all of the more than two dozen summer camps in the county. The process starts early—back in February when the health department contacts camps about the safety plans that they must put together and return in early spring. 

We review all the camps’ paperwork and lifeguard certifications,” said Ms. Burdick. “We make sure all counselor-to-camper ratios are appropriate, and that “buddy systems” are understood and implemented effectively. When there are trips planned for campers, we require additional written documentation.” In these cases, plans must document the experience of trip leaders and their familiarity with the destinations. Permits are only issued to the camps after review of their plans and certifications, and any necessary pre-operational inspections are conducted.”  

These pre-operational camp inspections are one of the final steps, occurring late in the month of June before the camps are scheduled to open, soon after school ends. Inspections are comprehensive, and those at overnight camps especially so. “There are a wide range of activities that occur at camps,” continued Ms. Burdick. “Some have high ropes, climbing walls and archery activities. Each needs to be checked so as to minimize any potential for injury.” Indoor facilities also require safety precautions, such as smoke alarms, and sleeping facilities and kitchens must undergo a thorough review and inspection.   

Beaches and pools are subject to inspections throughout the summer season on a regular basis. They receive a pre-operational inspection, and two standard in-season checks. In addition to camps, there are nearly 35 beaches, and over 40 indoor and outdoor public pools, both, for a total of nearly 80 facilities that are monitored each summer. Water quality samples are collected by the health department’s full time public health sanitarians, along with additional seasonal environmental personnel who are necessary to manage the increased workload during the hot months. 

“Samples are sent to an outside lab to test for fecal coliform bacteria,” says Ms. Burdick. This contaminant can increase in outdoor swimming areas, with the potential for sewer run-off, or pollution from goose droppings.  

Interim health commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, said, “Sampling and testing the water is the only way we can limit what are referred to as ‘recreational water illnesses’ that people can contract from contaminated water. Symptoms may include skin rashes, diarrhea, cough and congestion, and even ear and eye pain. Exposure occurs not only in pools and hot tubs, but also aquatic spray grounds, and natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers and even oceans.” 

Another growing concern in natural water bodies in recent years are harmful blue green algae blooms, called “HABs.” Lately these have been causing beaches to close earlier in the season and more frequently later on. Associate public health sanitarian Brian Stevens, who oversees the beach program, explains how the weather plays a role in HAB blooms, saying that, “They tend to occur in hot, rainy weather—especially in lakes with nutrient-rich water.” Heavy rains can increase the run-off from lawn fertilizers and cause the algae to bloom. Swimmers and waders are at higher risk, but boating and fishing should also be avoided in areas with blooms. Pets are especially vulnerable and must be kept out of and away from blue green algae. “It’s unfortunate, but all contact with HABs should be avoided by both people and animals when blooms are present,” Mr. Stevens said. 

Climbing walls offer a great full-body exercise that helps build strength in multiple muscle groups at once. Public health sanitarian Emily Olenius and environmental health aide James Danvin, center, from the Putnam County Department of Health, recently conducted an onsite inspection at Camp Herrlich. They met with camp director Scott Riches to ensure the wall’s safety certification paperwork was all in place before the camp opens.

Red rescue tubes are a key component to ensuring a safe waterfront. Emily inspected the devices to make sure their vinyl exteriors were in good shape and that the available quantity was appropriate for the size of the beach.

The Putnam County Department of Health inspects all food servicing establishments in the county, and that includes those supplying meals to hungry campers. Cleanliness and proper food storage are among the top issues on a public health sanitarian’s check list. 

Swimming areas are another focus of an onsite inspection. One concern for docks is always the depth of the water and whether diving is allowed. For safety issues diving is not permitted in water that is not at least 8 feet deep.

Walk-in freezers are another inspection point at both camps and restaurants. Public health sanitarian Emily Olenius ensures that the proper temperatures are maintained, and that food is shelved and not on the floor.

Laura Chapman, public health sanitarian trainee, talks with Jared Kuczenski, center, director of parks and recreation for the Town of Southeast, and recreation leader Chris Heller, about beach closures when harmful algae blooms occur. Beachgoers who see something they think might be blue green algae should tell the beach staff or the lifeguard, and the health department should be notified. All contact with HABs, as they are sometimes called, should be avoided by both people and animals. 

Tonetta Lake staff also on hand for the beach site inspection were from left: head lifeguards Luke Sanchez, Ashley Rampolla and recreation assistant John Fenty.

From left, town supervisor Rich Williams and Matt Chibbaro, recreation director for the town of Patterson, sit down with public health sanitarian Vincent Perrin, after the onsite inspection of Warren Beach at Putnam Lake. Items on a bathing beach inspection report, which must be completed before a permit is issued, are checking that the swim boundaries are properly marked, the proper lifesaving equipment is available on the beach, and any plug-connected electrical devices are not located within 20 feet of the water.

 

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.com, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY. 

 


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The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of our community.

We strive to prevent the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy lifestyles, ensure access to quality health services, and respond to disasters.

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Contact the Department of Health


  • Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD

    Commissioner of Health